Kogi varsity expels six students over exam malpractice

Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, has expelled six students after an investigation found them guilty of rewriting an examination at the private residence of their lecturer.

The university’s Senate also approved the withdrawal of nine other students for poor academic performance and failure to register for two consecutive semesters.

The decisions were taken at the Senate’s 167th Regular Meeting held on August 26, 2026, at the university auditorium, according to a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Uredo Omale.

The examination malpractice case dates back to July 1, when university security operatives arrested Dr Maji Okpanachi of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology and some students at his residence behind the Police Area Command Office along Idah Road, Anyigba.

The arrests followed information that students were being allowed to rewrite an examination at the lecturer’s home.

Omale said the university’s Examination Misconduct Committee subsequently investigated the matter and presented its findings to the Senate.

According to her, the committee corroborated the security report with statements from the lecturer and students involved, as well as other evidence gathered during the investigation.

The investigation established that the students had returned to the lecturer’s residence days after the original examination to rewrite BOT102, titled “Introduction to Plant Science”.

The students were also found to have paid N10,000 each to Okpanachi for the arrangement, the PRO said.

Following consideration of the committee’s report, the Senate approved the expulsion of the six students and referred Okpanachi to the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee for further disciplinary action in line with university regulations.

The Senate’s decision also covered nine students whose academic records and registration status failed to meet the institution’s requirements. Their withdrawal was approved on grounds of poor academic performance and failure to register for two consecutive semesters.

The Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman, said the decisions reflected the university’s determination to protect the credibility of its academic system.

He said the institution would not allow staff or students to engage in conduct capable of undermining the integrity of examinations and other academic processes.

Usman commended the committees that investigated the cases, describing their work as thorough and important to strengthening accountability within the university.

He urged students to remain committed to their studies and observe the institution’s academic and examination rules.

Omale added that the expelled students had been directed to return university property in their possession, including identity cards and other official items, before leaving the institution.